Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun obsolete A corpse
  • noun construction A long object, often a timber or log, buried to serve as an anchor for a wall or for stays.
  • noun rail transport A cutout device with operates in the event of driver incapacity.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From dead + man.

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Examples

  • When Pleasant and his co-workers at rig owner Transocean finally got the go-ahead to throw the so-called deadman's switch, they realized there was no hydraulic power to operate the machinery.

    WN.com - Business News 2010

  • Transocean finally got the go-ahead to throw the so-called deadman's switch, they realized there was no hydraulic power to operate the machinery.

    KETV.com - Local News 2010

  • When Pleasant and his co-workers at rig owner Transocean finally got the go-ahead to throw the so-called deadman's switch, they realized there was no hydraulic power to operate the machinery.

    WN.com - Business News 2010

  • On the Deepwater Horizon, there were three separate ways to activate the device, including a "deadman" switch that would work if other systems failed.

    Gulf spill a reminder of the value of redundant safety systems 2010

  • On the Deepwater Horizon, there were three separate ways to activate the device, including a "deadman" switch that would work if other systems failed.

    Gulf spill a reminder of the value of redundant safety systems 2010

  • FWIW, I knew what you meant by 'deadman's switch'.

    HH Com 286 (285) Miss Snark 2006

  • Documents emerged showing that a part of the device had a hydraulic leak, which would have reduced its effectiveness, and that a passive "deadman" trigger had a low, perhaps even dead, battery.

    StarTribune.com rss feed 2010

  • Documents emerged showing that a part of the device had a hydraulic leak, which would have reduced its effectiveness, and that a passive "deadman" trigger had a low, perhaps even dead, battery.

    The Seattle Times 2010

  • Documents emerged showing that a part of the device had a hydraulic leak, which would have reduced its effectiveness, and that a passive "deadman" trigger had a low, perhaps even dead, battery.

    hattiesburgamerican.com - 2010

  • Documents emerged showing that a part of the device had a hydraulic leak, which would have reduced its effectiveness, and that a passive "deadman" trigger had a low, perhaps even dead, battery.

    FOXNews.com 2010

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